Dudley E. Lewis

Obituary Dudley E. Lewis • Piggy Back Rides....Even When You are Too Old • Fishing, Fishing, Fishing....Using the Ties You Made • Spirit Lake, Idaho/Childhood Home, Annual Summer Vacations & Retirement Home • Motorboats & Water Skiing, Golf Balls & Carts, Blackberry Picking and Jam Making, Hiking, Hiking, Hiking • You Can Never Cook Too Much Food or Have Too Many Flowers • Telling Jokes and Laughing A Lot • Friday Night Popcorn and The Flintstones Our beloved dad and grandfather was our teacher, role model and family patriarch. He lead by example and taught us that your word was your bond, honesty and living your life with integrity were important, caring about people and helping others is something you do and working hard is a recipe for success. Dudley was born in Billings, MT on July 13, 1923 to Elbert Lewis and Vesta Smith and peacefully passed away at his oldest daughter's home in Tacoma on July 28. His childhood years were spent in Spirit Lake, ID and he graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1941. Dudley excelled and lettered in track, baseball and basketball and was voted the Best All Around Athlete. Dudley was offered a basketball scholarship to Weber State University, but instead chose to join the Navy and during WWII he was stationed in the South Pacific. It was important to our dad that his daughters and granddaughters graduated from college and we made sure we did. Our dad was happy and optimistic, fun, kind and a gourmet cook. Barbequing, holiday gatherings and having family dinners were an important part of his life. He meticulously and lovingly cared for his flower and vegetable gardens. Our dad loved his hunting dogs Trouble and Lucy. He always remembered birthdays, holidays and any special occasion with gifts, cards, food, flowers and always his weekly phone calls. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Mariners, Seahawks, Cougars and Huskies. Dudley spent his business life in the building trades and owned several businesses. He built our childhood home. In his last position he served as the Secretary of the Painter's Union and was proud that he made a positive impact on the union's finances. After retiring he enjoyed traveling to New Zealand, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Mexico and playing golf. Spirit Lake, ID was an important part of his life. We spent our childhood summer vacations at Sedlemayer's on the Lake. After retirement our dad lived in Spirit Lake, Hemet, CA, and Walla Walla, WA. The last four months of his life were spent in Tacoma and he was cared for by his daughters. During this time he enjoyed simple pleasures that included watching the young eagles with his new binoculars, the ferry boats on Puget Sound, fishing on the Dash Point Dock, planting carrot seeds and smoking a salmon. He is survived by daughters Dorothy Lewis, Shelley Miles (Randy) and Victoria Lewis; granddaughters Ali Criss, Allison Miles and Jessica Miles; long time companion Ginny Jones and his former wife of 45 years Donna Lewis; sisters Georganna Smith (Kenneth Ray) Cantonment, FL and Shirley Christian (Chris) Bagdad, FL; brother Jay Tanta (Barbie) Auburn, WA and special friend John Pleasants of Spirit Lake, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Wanda and brothers Dean and Glenn. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Franciscan Hospice staff and especially Nurse Nadean, special caregivers and friends Judy Nash, Bill and Sylvia Bonnell and Ginelle Lawrence. We also give special thanks to the compassionate care of Dr. James Wilson and Nurse Nancy, Dr. Neil Hannigan and Mandy, Dr. Michael Johnson and Nicole; Dr. Matthew Stroemel and Dr. Robert Carmody, both of Walla Walla and the entire staff of Federal Way DaVita. At his request there will be no public service. Our family will gather and spread his ashes at his beloved Spirit Lake, ID. Our dad was very charitable and donated to many causes. Remembrances to Franciscan Hospice or The Emergency Food Network would make him smile. We will cherish his memory forever. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253.572.6003.